Mark 16:11 Commentary and Bible Study

Mary’s report is met with unbelief. Mark picks out just that thread: the unbelief of the disciples. That is what he is inspired to report; that is the concern of his record: that they did not believe Christ’s previous words, nor Mary’s report, nor the report of the other women (Luke 24:11). But notice it is plural: ‘And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not.’ This becomes important to understand what follows. Christ consistently uses the plural – ‘they’, ‘them’ – to refer to the disciples. We should note this as we go on through the verses.